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Safe Driving Tips

Highway crashes are no accident. Each year, more than 800 people lose their lives on Hoosier roadways. Most of those crashes were caused by driver errors such as impaired driving, speeding, aggressive driving or distracted driving. The good news is that as a driver, you hold the key to crash prevention. The following safety tips will help you avoid the most common fatal errors drivers make, and help you drive defensively to protect yourself against other driver’s mistakes.

Five Keys to Crash Prevention

Buckle Up! Make sure you and your passengers are properly restrained – this is the single most important thing you can do to protect your life and the lives of your loved ones if involved in a motor vehicle crash.

Never Drive Impaired. Avoid alcohol and drugs if driving. Assign a designated driver.

Drive Attentively. Avoid the three most common distractions: cell phones, CDs and coffee.

Share the Road. Look out for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and commercial truck drivers.

Wear Your Seatbelt

According to studies, wearing a seatbelt reduces your chance of being killed in a car crash by 60-percent. A seatbelt is your best protection against injury and death in a highway crash. Don’t forget the following tips while driving:

Never operate your car or truck until everyone is buckled up!

Set a good example for your children. Use your seat belt every time you travel.

Seat belts are your best defense against a drunk driver.

Always use the seat belt properly – using only the lap belt does not protect you as well in a crash.

In Indiana, you can get pulled over and given a ticket for not having your seat belt fastened.

Fender Bender? Move Vehicles To Shoulder

INDOT wants motorists to be safe as well as keep traffic moving smoothly on busy interstates and roadways.

Our Fender Bender signs reinforce Indiana law that states that drivers involved in crashes that do not result in injury or death shall not obstruct traffic more than necessary. Off the roadway or on a shoulder is a much safer place to exchange information or wait for law enforcement to arrive after a crash. Don't worry - your insurance coverage will not be compromised if you move your vehicle to the shoulder.

INDOT and the Indiana State Police urge motorists to dial 9-1-1 for more serious accidents involving bodily injury or when moving the damaged vehicle could be dangerous.

Work Zone Driving and Winter Driving

Driving on a highway in normal conditions can be dangerous, and when roads are slippery or when highway construction is occurring, driving can be even more dangerous. Please visit the following sites to learn more: